§ 19. Mr. Moyleasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Education what progress he is making in persuading local authorities to establish regional school building groups, with a view to reducing costs particularly in the purchase of building materials and the employment of professional and technical staffs.
§ Sir E. BoyleMy noble Friend will shortly be discussing with a number of local education authorities the possibility of grouping some of their building projects with a view to obtaining favourable terms for certain building components.
§ Mr. MoyleWhen this matter is being further considered, will the Parliamentary Secretary and his noble Friend consider extending what I think is an excellent idea, not only for the purposes of pooling the purchase of building materials and the employment of technical staff, but also heavy mechanical equipment, such as excavators?
§ Sir E. BoyleMy noble Friend welcomes the initiative of local education authorities in this matter. It is rather too early to say whether it will prove to be of wider application.